Big Problem, Small Solution

A fire gutted Metro Gaisano three days ago. While the fire is now under control, the incident revealed that the city's firefighting capabilities may not be up to the task when it comes to fires in large buildings. It's a sobering thought: what if there's a fire on the tenth floor of a building? How will our firefighters handle it? Why are we only thinking this now!?

I wrote before how when the government is faced with a problem, it always takes dumbest and most oppressive approach to deal with it. Like clockwork, the mayor is now mulling a temporary ban on the construction of tall buildings. Again, the answer is always to enact small-minded policies which hamper the Filipino and the development of the Philippines. Instead of upgrading our firefighting capabilities, developers will just have to limit themselves to however many floors the government decides is best. Metro Gaisano only went up to six floors. Coupled with his penchant for closing establishments, Mayor Osmena could be the most anti-business leader in the whole Philippines.

How depressing. Whereas high-rises and skyscrapers were once symbols of progress, they're too scary and daunting for us simple folk.  I don't get it. Is this timidity, no, cowardice a common Filipino trait? Do we even dream big anymore? I digress.

Our ladders are too short. Therefore, we just need to build smaller and shorter buildings. Got it. It's totally not subconsciously emasculating at all. Gosh, we're so smart. How silly those people in Tokyo and New York must feel when they see how much smarter we are. We've figured it all out.

I love and hate being correct.

Fire

Today, a fire razed a large part of Carbon Market and Freedom Park.

While in the college this morning, I saw a large plume of smoke at the distance outside the window. A fire had started in the markets. In just five minutes, it had doubled in width. The fire trucks were attempting to douse the flame with their hoses but the fire simply spread to fast; the market was a crowded place with shops and shacks crammed together and full of merchandise. It might as well have been kindling. It was a terrible disaster for the poor people. I can't imagine what it's like seeing your livelihood go up in flames.

I've never seen a fire up close before. It's really quite something to see such a destructive force. It was... mesmerizing seeing the flames spread with frightening speed, the large plumes of black smoke rising and the small white sparks of electrical wiring popping in the midst of it all.

I didn't stick around and got out of there quickly despite my morbid fascination.